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Home , Adam Johnson (writer), Alice McDermott, Ana Castillo, Andrea Barrett, Ann Beattie, August Wilson

VISITOR EXPERIENCE CHRIS ABANI EDWARD ABBEY HENRY ADAMS LÉONIE ADAMS RENATA ADLER

DANIEL ALARCÓN HORATIO ALGER JR. DOROTHY ALLISON JULIA

ALVAREZ A.R. AMMONS SHERWOOD ANDERSON JOHN ASHBERY JOHN JAMES

PAUL AUSTER MARY AUSTIN JOHN BARTH WILLIAM BARTRAM

KATHARINE LEE BATES L. FRANK BAUM AMBROSE BIERCE JUDY

BLUME JANE BOWLES PAUL BOWLES T. C. BOYLE WILLIAM BRADFORD ANNE BRADSTREET NORMAN BRIDWELL JOSEPH

BRODSKY GERALDINE BROOKS CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN DEE BROWN MARGARET WISE BROWN STERLING A.

BROWN WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT PEARL S. BUCK EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS OCTAVIA BUTLER TRUMAN

CAPOTE ERIC CARLE JOHN

CHEEVER MARY CHESNUT CHARLES W. CHESNUTT KATE CHOPIN BEVERLY CLEARY JAMES FENIMORE

COOPER HART CRANE STEPHEN CRANE ROBERT CREELEY VÍCTOR HERNÁNDEZ CRUZ COUNTEE CULLEN E.E. CUMMINGS RICHARD

HENRY DANA JR. REBECCA HARDING DAVIS HAROLD L. DAVIS SAMUEL R. DELANY DON DELILLO TOMIE DEPAOLA JUNOT

DÍAZ PHILIP K. DICK JOAN DIDION W.S. DI PIERO E.L. DOCTOROW IVAN DOIG H.D. (HILDA DOOLITTLE)

JOHN DOS PASSOS FREDERICK DOUGLASSOur THEODORE Mission DREISER W.E.B. DUBOIS II PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR STEPHEN DUNN

RICHARD EBERHART JONATHAN EDWARDSThe JENNIFER mission EGAN of LOREN the American EISELEY T.S. WritersELIOT RALPH Museum ELLISON is RALPH to WALDO EMERSON MARTIN

ESPADA JAMES T. FARRELLengage WILLIAM the public FAULKNER in celebrating F.American SCOTT FITZGERALD writers ROBERT and FITZGERALD LOUISE FITZHUGH MARTIN to explore their influence on our history, our identity, FLAVIN JOHN GOULD FLETCHER JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER BENJAMIN FRANKLIN our culture, and our daily lives. IAN FRAZIER ERNEST J. GAINES RUTH STILES GANNETT CRISTINA GARCIA WILLIAM

GASS THEODORE SEUSS GEISEL CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN LOUISE

GLÜCK WILIAM GOLDMAN PAUL GOODMAN S. GRANT ZANE GREY JOHN GRISHAM DAVID GUTERSON

A.B. GUTHRIE JR. ALEX HALEY ALEXANDER HAMILTON DASHIELL HAMMETT

MICHAEL S. HARPER BRET HARTE NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE LAFCADIO HEARN

JOSEPH HELLER ALEKSANDAR HEMON PATRICK HENRY

ROBERT HILLYER CHESTER HIMES EDWARD HIRSCH OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES KHALED HOSSEINI RICHARD HOWARD FANNY HOWE IRVING

HOWE WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS WASHINGTON IRVING SHIRLEY JACKSON

HARRIET JACOBS WILLIAM JAMES THOMAS JEFFERSON GISH JEN

ADAM JOHNSON CHARLES JOHNSON CROCKETT JOHNSON JAMES WELDON JOHNSON JOSEPHINE WINSLOW JOHNSON EDWARD P. JONES

JAMES JONES ERICA JONG NORTON JUSTER DONALD JUSTICE ALFRED KAZIN JACK KEROUAC

KEN KESEY FRANCES PARKINSON KEYES TRACY KIDDER MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MAXINE HONG KINGSTON

JAMAICA KINCAID GALWAY KINNELL CAROLYN KIZER JOHN KNOWLES YUSEF KOMUNYAKAA E.L. KONIGSBURG JERZY KÓSINSKI ALEX KOTLOWITZ There’s a story that needs to be told: the story of the extraordinary men and women who have created the written works that have shaped our society since its inception and have both inspired and entertained us. Welcome to the American Writers Museum, the first and only museum of its kind in the . Opening in in early 2017, this vibrant, interactive museum will celebrate the lives and works of America’s great writers, and their influence on our history and our culture. • Permanent exhibits will feature your favorite works and tell the story of your favorite writers, whether they wrote non- or fiction, plays or poetry. • Special galleries will showcase exhibits and artifacts on loan from our nation’s historic writers’ homes, joining with our museum to tell the behind-the-scenes stories of our great writers. • Diverse educational programs and special events will promote literacy and foster a love of reading and writing. In the pages that follow, you can explore the concept design for the museum. We invite you to join in the celebration. .com

CHAPTER 1. Loomings.

CALL ME ISHMAEL. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me. Table of Contents

Visitor Experience 4 Where Will it Be? 6 Writers Hall 7 Writing Across America 8 American Identity 9 Surprise Bookshelf 10 Word Waterfall 11 Readers Hall 12 The Mind of a Writer 13 A Writer’s Room 14 Featured Works 15 Word Play 16 Chicago: A City of Writers 17 Children’s Literature Gallery 18 Changing Exhibits Gallery 20 Advocates 22 Curating Team 23 National Advisory Council 24 Affiliated Author Home Museums

Business Plan 28 Exhibit Floor Plan 29 Attendance Projections 30 Leadership 32 Partners 33 Financials 36 Fundraising Plan 37 Your Opportunity 38 Naming Opportunities 40 Project Strengths WEST DIVISION STREET

WEST ELM STREET

NORTH LASALLE STREET NORTH LASALLE W HOBBIE ST

NORTHORLEANS STREET

EAST OAK STREET NORTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE W OAK ST EAST WALTON STREET Washington Square EAST DELAWARE PLACE

Museum of Contempory Art CHICAGO AVE.

CLARK ST. CLARK Northwestern

WEST SUPERIOR ST. AVE. MICHIGAN University

WEST HURON ST.

WEST ERIE ST. Olive Park

E. ONTARIO ST. WEST ONTARIO ST.

E. ST. Where Will it Be? WEST OHIO ST. E. GRAND AVE. W. GRAND AVE. Navy Pier AWM will be located in the E. ST. heart of downtown Chicago W. KINZIE AVE.

on one ofHALSTEDSTREET NORTH the busiest blocks

Marina EAST WACKER DRIVE City

S. CLINTON S. ST. of famed Michigan Avenue.CANAL S. ST. Millennium Park, a magnet

N.WABASH AVE.

W. LAKE ST. for Chicago residents and CHICAGO visitors from all over the W. RANDOLPH ST. E. RANDOLPH ST. CULTURAL CENTER

N. MICHIGAN AVE. MICHIGAN N. world, is one block away. E. WASHINGTON ST. W. WASHINGTON ST. “I enthusiastically support the

N. FRANKLIN ST.FRANKLIN N. J. Pritzker Other cultural attractions Civic STATE N. Pavillon efforts to place a national writers Opera E. MADISON ST. House W. MADISON ST. museum in Chicago. Such a Millennium in the area include The Park museum will complement the rich

E. MONROE ST. Art Institute of Chicago, W. MONROE ST. ART offerings of the City’s theaters,

S. FRANKLIN ST.FRANKLIN S. W. MARBLE PL. INSTITUTE CHICAGO STATE S. Sears OF CHICAGO museums, libraries and musical E. ADAMS ST. SYMPHONY WABASHS. AVE. Tower W. ADAMS ST. Chicago Symphony Center, CENTER activities and adds significantly Pritzker Military Museum W. QUINCY ST. to Chicago’s vitality.” E. JACKSON ST. W. JACKSON ST. and Library, and theDESPLAINES S. ST. Grant Park – RAHM EMANUEL E. VAN BUREN ST. MAYOR, THE CITY OF CHICAGO CHICAGO Chicago Architectural ARCHITECTURE

S. MICHIGAN AVE. MICHIGAN S. W. CONGRESS PKWY. FOUNDATION Foundation. The theatre Buckingham Fountain district lies two blocks to the W. HARRISON ST.

west. The AWM will be just E. HALBO DR.

S. LAKE SHORE DR.SHORELAKE S. a short walk away from a COLUMBUS DR. S. W. POLK ST.

S. WELLS ST.WELLS S. MUSEUM SITE number of Chicago’s major ST.CLARK S. NEARBY CULTURAL SITES hotels. NEARBY HOTELS

S.CLINTON ST. Roosevelt Park S. CANALS. ST. John G. Shedd E. ROOSEVELT RD. Aquarium

Park Field Adler Planetarium

DANRYAN EXPRESSWAY 479 Museum

S. JEFFERSON ST.JEFFERSON S. E. 13TH ST.

E. 14TH ST. 12th Street Beach

S. INDIANA STREETINDIANA S.

4 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Soldier WEST 14TH PLACE Field Coliseum Cotton Park Tail Park

S. HALSTED S.HALSTED S.

WEST 16TH STREET

Ping Tom Memorial WEST 17TH STREET Park

EAST 18TH STREET WEST 18TH STREET Northerly Island Park

Womens Park & Gardens

S. CANALPORT AVENUE

CERMAK AVENUE Children’s Literature American Identity Gallery

Changing Gallery Readers Hall

Writers Hall

Chicago: A City of Writers The Mind of a Writer

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 5 Writers Hall Step into Writers Hall and experience your first AWM surprise: a face-to-face encounter with a writer from your hometown.

What to See and Do: • Learn about the American Writers • Great writers come from all corners Museum’s broad network of author- of the country, including where you home museum affiliates. live. Enter your zip code to see a panoramic video display of writers, their works, their awards, and their inspirations from your hometown.

6 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Writing Across America A giant interactive map of the United States allows you to explore animated stories showing how American writing encompasses every region of the country.

Map of Affiliated Author Home Museums

What to See and Do: • Go on literary journeys—with Kerouac and Steinbeck and other iconic American writers. • “Travel” to places where writers lived. • Visit famous literary sites—“Tara” The American prairie – illustrated Mark Twain in front of his boyhood The Ozarks of Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of by Garth Williams in the ‘Little House’ home in Hannibal, Missouri. and “Cannery Row,” or “The House Wrath,” illustrated by Thomas Hart Benton. of the Seven Gables,” . books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 7 American Identity American Identity chronicles from the early Native American oral traditions up to the explosion of voices of the 20th century.

What to See and Do: • The 60-foot-long multilayered • Explore literary movements, authors • Test your knowledge to determine exhibit wall takes you on a journey and their works over time—discover if a featured piece of writing helped through the literary history of the the poems of Anne Bradstreet of create an American voice, identity or United States. Colonial America to writers like genre. Your on-screen selections Emerson, Melville, Whitman, and Poe trigger a wide range of lighting and who helped America’s literary audio effects. independence.

8 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Surprise Bookshelf Surprise and discovery reign here. Each of the 200 individual works of American writing is interpreted in a unique interactive that includes an Push the button Touch the spear assortment of audio, video, to hear Kurt to activate video dioramas and colorful back- Vonnegut reading of a “Nantucket an excerpt. Sleigh Ride.” lit graphics.

Spin the zoetrope to see Harold and his crayon in action. What to See and Do: • Find the diorama of a children’s • Hidden windows can be opened, slid, picture book or a clip from the spun, or twisted to expose dioramas, Hollywood version of a famous book. audio and video programs, and unexpected interactive elements. • Discover hundreds of “great works” of American writing.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 9 Word Waterfall Magic happens here. Words float down and assemble in interesting and memorable ways.

What to See and Do: The presentation may combine dynamic animation of words from featured works, • From a distance, you will be accompanying imagery (photography, art, enchanted by an evocatively lit, floor- video) and a soundscape. In contrast to the to-ceiling waterfall of words. highly interactive, content-rich American Identity and Surprise Bookshelf experiences, • Up close, watch words assemble Word Waterfall is contemplative and themselves in stanzas or paragraphs. meditative. • Choose a work to be displayed on the “waterfall.”

10 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Readers Hall This is the museum’s primary gathering and multipurpose space. It offers flexible seating and viewing configurations for films, talks, readings, and other events and programs. Readers Hall also offers interpretive exhibits and iconic artifacts celebrating the role of the reader and writer in American literature.

What to See and Do: • Explore “top ten” lists using a • Use a typewriter or notepad to • Discover the reading habits of our dynamic data mapping diagram. compose a Fan Letter to a writer ancestors through the books they had • Choose your Favorites. Post (dead or living) who has inspired you. on their shelves. and compare your choices with those • Learn about the social, cultural and of other visitors. Access your technological developments that selections on-line and on-site through influenced written works. an AWM app

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 11 The Mind of a Writer Could you be a great writer? In this gallery explore what it takes to produce a masterwork in four distinct exhibit areas: Story of the Day, A Writers Room, Anatomy of a Masterwork and Word Play.

What to See and Do: • Write the next line or two to continue • A roll of paper stretches from the the story. ceiling to an easel, providing the • Visit the AWM website or on-site medium for a story. Every day, AWM kiosk to view complete stories written staff will write a great line from an by visitors on other days. American masterwork on the paper and let visitors continue the story.

12 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM A Writer’s Room This semi-enclosed immersive space depicts the things that might have been part of a selected author’s writing environment.

Mark Twain

What to See and Do: • Select desktop items such as • Touch the “desktop” to select an manuscripts, or inspirational author. works from others to explore. • Watch the room transform with • View the writer’s personal library. changes in lighting, “outdoor” views, • Play “Are You a Vonnegut or a bookshelf components and desktop Bukowski,” a game that asks items. questions about your lifestyle and work habits, then pairs you with writers with similar lifestyles.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 13 Featured Works Here a multi-user touch- table allows you to explore in depth 20 masterworks of American Literature.

Draft page of ’s “Epilogue”.

What to See and Do: • Select a work to explore. Through a • Explore Great First Lines displayed • View a long, multi-touch table loaded series of screens, choose to learn on the blades of the horizontal with deep, relevant, and interrelated more about the work or the writer: window louvers. Try to guess the information related to a specific discover influences, backstories, and name of the work or the author that masterwork. biographical information. produced the line. • Learn about author-home affiliates Draft page of Sylvia Plath’s related to Featured Works. “Stings” in the Plath Collection at .

14 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Word Play Interactive tabletop consoles offer multiple games that encourage visitors to get creative with words.

What to See and Do: • Consider how careful word choice • Explore words made up by American gives meaning to a sentence. Create writers; invent new words and sentences by adding and removing meanings in an interactive game. words to see how the meaning When “Chronicle” changes. columnist Herb Caen coined the word • Explore word choices and phrasing of “Beatnik” he said it was because great American writers; try to guess had just launched Sputnik. the name of the author. Are hipsters the new beatniks? You can decide!

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 15 Chicago: A City of Writers Here you will find compelling evidence for why the American Writers Museum is located in Chicago. As the “new American city,” Chicago eschewed tradition and “the old rules,” fostering literary experimentation that has had global impact. Many great American writers of the 19th and 20th centuries worked in Chicago for a significant portion of their careers and in turn, the city inspired some of their greatest writing.

What to See and Do: • Explore Communities using an • Discover favorite and new Chicago • Explore classic works of Chicago interactive map. Locate publishing Stories in a touchscreen interactive literature, such as Nelson Algren’s houses, newspapers, libraries, that invites you to choose from a “Chicago: City on the Make,” through bookstores, and other literary menu of stories about significant an interactive touchscreen. institutions in Chicago’s history. Chicago writers or writing-focused • Explore tactile display objects organizations. relevant to the “communities” stories such as meeting announcements, brochures, leaflets, sample works, and group memorabilia.

16 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Children’s Literature Gallery Perhaps nothing is more important in of a child’s capabilities than his or her pleasure and skill in reading. Great American writers have created children’s works of enduring power and characters who are an indelible part of the American imagination. Children’s literature will be featured throughout the museum and it will be showcased exclusively in the Children’s Gallery.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 17 18 books. banned children’s literature or specific exhibits on anniversaries, or program- relating to special events or author-specific exhibits include special artifacts, organizations. These may on loan from partner by the AWM and those including those produced exhibitions temporary updated, the AWM will host elements that can be readily permanent gallery will have the the exhibits in While Gallery Exhibits Changing

© Tessa van der Waals FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM

© Roger Willems “The American Writers Museum is a grand, highly worthy idea. I’m all for it. Imagine all there will be to work with and what a center of inspiration it will be! The importance of our , , dramatists, writers from every part of the country, every kind of background, has been part of the American story for more than 300 years. Think of what we owe them and how much we continue to learn from them!”

DAVID MCCULLOUGH, AUTHOR & HISTORIAN Advocates

“The essential literary experience, of “This is such a great idea. Museums make “The train line goes from to “In a country established as an idea course, takes place in silence inside a book, history three dimensional, and museums Chicago. …The music informed the history; explicated in written documents and but why shouldn’t the abundant joy of bring people together into that three- the stories followed the music. This embellished by generations of poets, American writing have its own museum, dimensional space to learn about and museum is great!” novelists, and critics, the case for a physical place that readers can walk into celebrate that history. This is needed for – NIKKI GIOVANNI commemorating the written word is and learn and marvel?“ American literary history—a communal self-evident. After all, what is written – BILLY COLLINS space to celebrate our rich legacy of prose describes a people and what is celebrated U.S. , 2001–2003 and poetry. And maybe I’m biased, but I “American writers have produced some of defines their values.” the world’s great literature, essays and think Chicago, home of Bellow, Brooks, and – JIM LEACH “Here is a promise to create a museum in Terkel, is the perfect place for such a poetry, and it is time that their authors and CHAIRMAN, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT Chicago that will stimulate our young museum.” their works be gathered and presented to FOR THE HUMANITIES, 2009–2013 people to read, imagine, and write. Using the American people in a major cultural – DAVE EGGERS “There is no better place than Chicago and interactive digital media, the American AUTHOR, EDITOR, AND PUBLISHER museum. The educational opportunities are Writers Museum will bring to life the endless, and I support the creation of the no better time than now to bring to life the captivating stories of our great writers and “Our nation’s libraries are dynamic cultural American Writers Museum with lives of the people who create magic and explore their influence on our nation.” centers which make America’s literary enthusiasm.” reality with words. The writers are the ones – JAMES R. DONNELLEY riches available to widely diverse – HENRY A. KISSINGER who help us laugh when we want to cry, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, THE CHICAGO audiences. A museum devoted to American AUTHOR & FORMER U.S. SECRETARY think when we want to laugh. They are the PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION authors is an exciting idea—one which we OF STATE keepers of our past, present and futures. believe will be welcomed by librarians Onward to the next page! Always to the “Anyone invested in the cultural landscape “Rooted in the private, individual pleasure across the United States.” next page!” of the United States would welcome an of reading, there is a compelling – KEITH MICHAEL FIELS – JIM LEHRER American Writers Museum—even those of excitement in learning more about EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOURNALIST AND us who believe that a picture might be AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION America’s writers in the shared, public worth a thousand words. A museum experience of a museum. It will be a place “The Iowa Writers’ Workshop at The devoted to American literature would play “How thrilling to imagine a museum to meet one’s old friends—Twain, pioneered the teaching a vital role in keeping the creative impulse dedicated to the great achievements of Dickinson, Frost—and make new of creative writing at the university level. alive in the national psyche.” American literature. Such a museum would acquaintances. What fun that will be.” There is a significant underlying principle – DOUGLAS DRUICK immediately become both a national – RICHARD LARIVIERE here in Iowa: that the literary arts are for PRESIDENT AND ELOISE W. MARTIN center and a national symbol for creativity, PRESIDENT AND CEO everyone at every age, in every walk of life. DIRECTOR, ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, education, and the highest aspirations of THE FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY We believe an American Writers Museum 2011–2016 our culture.” would serve to keep alive our stories for – generations to come.” CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT – SALLY MASON FOR THE ARTS, 2002–2009 PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, 2007–2015

20 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Advocates

“Those of us whose main task it is to instill “The American Writers Museum promises “How brilliant: An institution that will tell “Chicago, my home and birthplace, nurtured within the museum visitors an active and to be a vibrant cultural institution the stories of the people who tell us stories. many of America’s greatest writers of the probing interest in nature and culture can dedicated to preserving American The American Writers Museum promises past: Dreiser, Farrell, Hemingway, only respond to the plans of a writers literature in an entirely contemporary narrative riches of every kind, in and well Sandburg, Algren, Bellow, Brooks, and museum: This is the right thing to do!” manner. PEN/Faulkner is pleased to beyond its own walls. It is set to work some Terkel, to name a few. With so much of – JOHN MCCARTER JR. endorse this exciting project.” very powerful magic.” America’s literary heritage rooted here, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF REGENTS – PEN/FAULKNER FOUNDATION – STACY SCHIFF it would be an ideal site of the American SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AUTHOR AND TIMES Writers Museum.” “A national museum, which would offer a GUEST COLUMNIST – SCOTT F. TUROW “The idea of an American Writers Museum chance to explore the richness and vitality AUTHOR seems to me long overdue. The literate of one of the world’s great cultural “I write to express my hearty and world has known and prized American resources—the heritage of great American enthusiastic support for the American “This exemplary project, to found a national writers since the generation of Emerson writing—is a remarkable idea and long Writers Museum. The technological and museum devoted to celebrating the story and Thoreau. Whitman and Emily Dickinson overdue.” economic revolution underway in the of America through the tales and lives of its have influenced poets and readers in presentation and reception of the written – MAX RUDIN remarkable writers, is an idea that I suspect English and in translation into many PUBLISHER, THE word makes this an auspicious time for will prove as durable and as inspiring as languages. The great current continues, establishing an institution whose focus is Betsy Ross’s flag.” and a museum honoring and portraying “I love the idea of the American Writers on writers.” – STEVE WASSERMAN American writing would be an honor to Museum. The American project has been – DAVID SPADAFORA EDITOR AT LARGE, the suffering and vision from which our fueled since the beginning by impassioned PRESIDENT, THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY PRESS literature came.” writing, and the Museum would be a “Establishing a national institution that will “Our greatest writers contribute to the – W.S. MERWIN wonderful place for that history to be U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2010–2011 embodied and rediscovered….” celebrate American writing is an inspired intellectual vitality of our country, and the idea. Through its programs, exhibitions, American Writers Museum is an ambitious – “What a brilliant idea, to establish an AUTHOR public readings, and film presentations, way in which to honor and recognize American Writers Museum! It is very fitting the museum will kindle a new appreciation their contribution to scholarly inquiry and that this ambitious museum is Midwestern “From its beginning in the 19th Century to of our literature and deepen our cultural expression. I welcome the potential in its setting, and particularly in the great the present day, Chicago has provided understanding of American writers.” to create such a museum both as a literary city of Chicago. Here is a project inspiration for renowned novelists, poets, – THOMAS F. STALEY resource for research and engagement, that will be both educational and thrilling, journalists and essayists. Having the DIRECTOR, HARRY RANSOM CENTER as well as a symbol of literature’s lasting inspiring to all who love to read and to American Writers Museum here would be UNIVERSITY OF AT AUSTIN, importance.” 1988–2013 write. I am honored to be involved in this both appropriate and a wonderful addition – ROBERT J. ZIMMER original enterprise and will be very to Chicago.” PRESIDENT, THE intrigued by its development and the ways – MORTON SCHAPIRO in which it will flourish.” PRESIDENT, – AUTHOR

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 21 Curating Team

CONTENT LEADERSHIP TEAM SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

Dr. Reginald Gibbons Marie Arana Sandra Gilbert Carolyn Saper Francis Hooper Professor of Arts and Biographer, essayist, novelist, senior advisor Professor of English Education Consultant Specializing in Humanities, Northwestern University to the librarian at the and University of , Davis Children’s Literature and Curriculum former editor in chief of Book World section Leonard Marcus in Jacqueline Goldsby Dr. Werner Sollors Author, Critic, and Children’s Book Historian Professor of English & African American Henry B. and Anne M. Cabot Professor of Michael W. Clune Studies, Yale University English Literature and Professor of African Max Rudin Associate Professor of English and African American Studies, Harvard Publisher for Library of America Case Reserve University David Kipen University Robert Casper Head of the Poetry and Getty/Annenberg Arts Fellow University Donna Seaman Literature Center, Library of Congress of Southern California Ilan Stavans Senior Editor, “Booklist,” Lewis-Sebring Professor in Latin American American Library Association Maureen Corrigan Jill Lepore and Latino Culture, Amherst College Journalist, Author, and Literary Critic, Author, New Yorker contributor, The Washington Post, NPR David Woods Kemper ‘41 Professor of Ivy Wilson American History and Harvard College Associate Professor of English and Director Thomas Dyja Professor, of American Studies,Northwestern University Author Robert Polito Gary K. Wolfe Shelley Fisher Fishkin Director, MFA Writing Program and Professor of Humanities, Roosevelt University Joseph S. Atha Professor in Humanities Professor of Writing, The New School President, Poetry Foundation, 2012–2015

Dr. Ed Folsom John Russick Roy J. Carver Professor of English, Vice President for Interpretation and The University of Iowa Education, Chicago History Museum Editor, Quarterly Review, Director, Walt Whitman Archive

22 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM National Advisory Council

Nicholas A. Basbanes Elliot Figman Alice McDermott Noreen Tomassi Author Executive Director Author Executive Director Poets & Writers Foundation The Center for Fiction Robert Casper Nancy S. Miller Head of the Poetry and Literature Center Dr. Ed Folsom Editorial Director, Bloomsbury Publishing Scott F. Turow Library of Congress Roy J. Carver Professor of English Author The University of Iowa Alice Quinn Michael W. Clune Director, Poetry Society of America Steve Wasserman Professor of English Case Western Reserve Mia Funk Editor at Large University Artist and Founder of The Creative Process Mary Rasenberger Yale University Press Travelling Exhibition Executive Director John Y. Cole The Authors Guild Stephen Young Director, Center for the Book Dr. Reginald Gibbons Program Director Library of Congress Author and Director, Center for the Writing Max Rudin Poetry Foundation Arts, Northwestern University Publisher, Library of America Patrick K. Coleman Acquisitions Librarian Nikki Giovanni Jr. Donna Seaman Minnesota Historical Society Poet and Author Senior Editor, Booklist American Library Association Billy Collins Daniel Greene United States Poet Laureate (2001–2003) Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University Dr. Werner Sollors Guest Curator, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Professor of English Literature Daniel DeSimone Museum Harvard University Curator, Rosenwald Collection The Library of Congress David Kipen Dr. Victoria Steele Former Literature Director Director of Collections Strategy Ellen S. Dunlap National Endowment for the Arts President, American Antiquarian Society Dr. Jeffrey Lependorf Dr. Robert B. Stepto Stuart Dybek Executive Director, Council of Literary Professor of African American Poet and Author Magazines and Presses Studies, English and American Studies Yale University David W. Fenza Haki R. Madhubuti Executive Director Founder and Publisher Tree Swenson Association of Writers & Writing Programs Third World Press Executive Director House

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 23 Affiliated Author Home Museums

Louisa May Alcott, Orchard House u National Historic Site u Helen Hunt Jackson, Colorado Springs 399 Lexington Road 1411 W Street SE Pioneers Museum u Concord, 01742 Washington, D.C. 20020 215 S. Tejon Street Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903

William Cullen Bryant Homestead u u The F. Scott & Museum Sarah Orne Jewett House Museum u 207 Bryant Road 919 Felder Avenue 5 Portland Street Cummington, Massachusetts 01026 Montgomery, Alabama 36106 South Berwick, 03908

Pearl S. Buck House u Robert Frost Farm u Jack Kerouac, The Beat Museum u 520 Road 122 Rockingham Road 540 Broadway Perkasie, 18944 Derry, 03038 San Francisco, California 94133

Frances Parkinson Keyes, u Alex Haley Museum & Interpretive Center u Pearl S. Buck’s Birthplace The Beauregard-Keyes House:u 200 South Church Street 8129 Seneca Trail 1113 Chartres Street Henning, 38041 Hillsboro, West 24946 , 70116

Truman Capote & , Joel Chandler Harris, The Wren’s Nest u Jack London State Historic Park u u The Old Courthouse Museum 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard 2400 London Ranch Road 31 North Alabama Avenue , 30310 Glen Ellen, California 95442 Monroeville, Alabama 36460

Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House Longfellow House: Washington’s The Willa Cather Foundation u of the Seven Gables u Headquarters National Historic Site u 413 North Webster 115 Derby Street 105 Brattle Street Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970 Salem, Massachusetts 01970 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Emily Dickinson Museum u Ernest Hemingway Foundation u Wadsworth-Longfellow House u 280 Main Street 200 North Oak Park Avenue 489 Congress Street Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Portland, Maine 04101

Ralph Waldo Emerson & Nathaniel Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Herman Melville’s Arrowhead u Hawthorne, The Old Manse u u Educational Center 780 Holmes Road 269 Monument Street 1021 West Cherry Street Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 Concord, Massachusetts 01742 Piggott, Arkansas 72454

u The Edna St. Vincent Millay Society William Faulkner, Washington Irving, Sunnyside u at Steepletop u 916 Old Taylor Road 639 Bedford Road 436 East Hill Road Oxford, Mississippi 38655 Pocantico Hills, New York 10591 Austerlitz, New York 12017

24 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 Affiliated Author Home Museums

Margaret Mitchell House u Carl Sandburg Home u Noah Webster House u 990 Peachtree Street 81 Carl Sandburg Lane 227 South Main Street Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Flat Rock, 28731 West Hartford, 06107

John Muir National Historic Site u The National Steinbeck Center u House and Garden u 4202 Alhambra Avenue One Main Street 1109 Pinehurst Street Martinez, California 94553 Salinas, California 93901 Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Flannery O’Connor’s Andalusia Farm u Harriet Beecher Stowe Center u Edith Wharton’s Home, The Mount u P.O. Box 947 77 Forest Street 2 Plunkett Street Milledgeville, Georgia 31059 Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Lenox, Massachusetts 01240

Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site u Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site u Walt Whitman’s Birthplace u P.O. Box 280 1205 Pleasant Point 246 Old Walt Whitman Road Danville, California 95426 Rome City, Indiana 46784 West Hills, New York 11746

William Sidney Porter, O. Henry Museum u Henry David Thoreau & Ralph Waldo John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace u u 409 East 5th Street Emerson, Concord Museum 305 Whittier Road Austin, Texas 78701 200 Lexington Road Haverhill, Massachusetts 01830 Concord, Massachusetts 01742

u Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum u Poe Museum Thurber House u 330 8th Street 1914-16 East Main Street 77 Jefferson Avenue Walnut Grove, Minnesota 56180 Richmond, Virginia 23223 Columbus, Ohio 43215

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home Poe u Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum u and Museum u 203 N Amity Street 120 North Main 3068 Highway A Baltimore, Maryland 21223 Hannibal, Missouri 63401 Mansfield, Missouri 65704

James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home u Mark Twain House and Museum u Thomas Wolfe Memorial u 528 Lockerbie Street 351 Farmington Avenue 52 North Market Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library u Will Rogers Memorial Museum u The Emelie Building u = link to website 1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard 340 N. Senate Avenue Claremore, Oklahoma 74017 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 2 5 “What a fantastic concept—a museum devoted to great American writing.…At a time when life moves so fast and so much of what we encounter is disposable, an institution that allows us to immerse ourselves in that which is permanent and meaningful, which allows us to embrace American writing and American stories…

– DAVE ISAY FOUNDER, STORYCORPS

26 BUSINESS PLAN CHILDREN'S American Voices Word Writing Waterfall LITERATURE Across GALLERY America AMERICAN IDENTITY

Surprise Bookshelf Emergency Egress CHANGING EXHIBITS Building Equip.

Elevators READERS Vestibule Building HALL Equip. Coats WRITERS HALL What Americans Storage Read Emergency Staff Elevators Egress Hometown Authors

NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE Favorites

CHICAGO: A CITY Museum OF WRITERS Fan Letters Equip. Hallway Focus Stories

World-class Anatomy of a Masterwork Writing THE MIND OF Story of Word the Day Play A WRITER Communities Featured A Writer's Works Room

EAST LAKE STREET

28 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Attendance Projections

Opening Audience Admission Fees 2017 The museum is designed to appeal to a Adult: $12 broad spectrum of visitors from casual Senior: $10 Location readers to avid lovers of literature. Family: $14 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL The interactive nature of the museum Students: $5 Visitors will especially engage young people. Admission fees are based on visitor 120,000 paying visitors annually is a Lectures and presentations for school research and fees charged by other conservative estimate based on the groups will be an essential offering. cultural institutions in Chicago. museum’s feasibility study and the experiences of other museums in Chicago and elsewhere. CHICAGO MUSEUM ANNUAL CHICAGO MUSEUM ATTENDANCE — 2014 ADMITTANCE FEES — 2014

Adler Planetarium 451,000 Adult Fee

Art Institute of Chicago 1,424,000 Adler Planetarium $12

Chicago Children’s Museum 406,000 Art Institute of Chicago $20

Chicago History Museum 272,000 Chicago Children’s Museum $14

DuSable Museum of African Chicago History Museum $14 118,000 American History DuSable Museum of African $8 The Field Museum 1,229,000 American History

Museum of Contemporary Art 339,000 The Field Museum $18

Museum of Science & Industry 1,388,000 Museum of Contemporary Art $12

National Museum Museum of Science & Industry $18 131,000 of Mexican Art National Museum of Free John G. Shedd Museum 1,815,000 Mexican Art

Total Attendance 7,573,000 John G. Shedd Museum $8

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 29 Leadership

Officers Hill Hammock (Co-Chair), after retiring John Estey (Vice-Chairman) is chairman Jay Hammer (Treasurer) is president and Hill Hammock as vice chairman and COO of LaSalle Bank of S&C Electric Company, a global provider CEO of Theralogix. He is a business and Co-Chair in 2007, became chief administrative officer of equipment and services for electric non-profit leader based in Washington, D.C. for the Chicago Public Schools and is power systems headquartered in Chicago. He has served on a number of non-profit Roberta Rubin currently chairman of the Cook County He is a director of PotashCorp and boards and was chairman of Washington Co-Chair Health & Hospital System. Hill is also Southwire Company, and past chairman Performing Arts from 2008 to 2010. He Roger Baskes chairman of the Chicago Deferred of the Adler Planetarium Board of Trustees. graduated from the University of Chicago Vice-Chairman Exchange Company and has served as John was born and raised in Toronto, and received his MBA from Harvard John Estey chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Canada and holds a B.S. in Electrical University. Vice-Chairman Council, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Engineering from Queen’s University and Lynne Pace Robinson (Corporate Ronne Hartfield and the Chicago History Museum. Mr. an MBA from the University of Chicago. Secretary) served in the White House of Vice-Chairman Hammock holds an MBA from the Ronne Hartfield (Vice-Chairman) is a Gerald R. Ford and held appointments in Werner Hein University of Chicago. biographer, essayist, and widely recognized the Department of Transportation and the Vice-Chairman Roberta Rubin (Co-Chair) is the former international museum consultant. After Environmental Protection Agency. She Jerre L. Stead owner of The Book Stall at Chestnut Court early retirement from her position as co-chaired the esteemed Washington Vice-Chairman in Chicago, one of the most celebrated executive director of museum education Antiques Show and hosted a community Jay Hammer independent bookstores in the country. at the Art Institute of Chicago, she was interview show on Comcast cable television Treasurer She received the 2012 ‘Bookstore of the awarded a senior research fellowship at for nine years. Serving with architect/ Lynne Pace Robinson Year’ honor from ‘Publishers Weekly.’ Harvard University. She has served on the engineer consulting firms for several years, Corporate Secretary Roberta was a member of the Board of Boards of Directors of several universities she also managed a regional office and led Malcolm O’Hagan Directors for the American Booksellers and foundations and earned undergraduate teams of experts to conduct analysis for President and CEO Foundation for Free Expression and is now and graduate degrees from the University Environmental Impact Statements on large actively engaged on the board of the of Chicago. federal and municipal public works Nike Whitcomb Ragdale Foundation and the Crow Canyon projects. She graduated from The George Executive Director Werner Hein (Vice-Chairman) is senior Archaeological Center in Four Corners. She Washington University in Washington, D.C. counsel at the Washington, D.C. office of is a graduate of the . Directors Mayer Brown LLP, a leading international Malcolm O’Hagan (President) was CEO of Marie Arana Roger Baskes (Vice-Chairman) is a former law firm. During his more than thirty years the National Electrical Manufacturers Tom Borders chairman of the Board of Trustees of the of legal practice he has chiefly advised Association. He served on the board of the Allan E. Bulley III Newberry Library in Chicago. He is a communications and Internet companies on National Association of Manufacturers and Michael T. Clune member of the Madison Council at the their transactions. He holds law degrees was chairman of the Washington Industrial S. Leigh Pierson Conant Library of Congress. Mr. Baskes is a from Columbia Law School and Bonn Roundtable. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in James Donnelley graduate of . University. Engineering from The National University Edith H. Falk of and a D.Sc. from The George Jerre L. Stead (Co-Chair) is Chairman and Robert Franden Washington University in Washington, D.C. CEO of IHS Inc. He has been CEO of several James G. Hansen companies including Ingram Micro, Legent, Lamar Johnson Square D, and AT&T Global Information Paul T. Ruxin Solutions (formerly, NCR Corp.). He is a Tom Staley graduate of University of Iowa. Helen Sullivan

30 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Leadership

Nike Whitcomb (Executive Director) Allan E. Bulley III is president of Bulley & Edith H. Falk is the former chair of Lamar Johnson is regional managing is founder and principal of Whitcomb Andrews and the fourth generation to lead Campbell & Company, the consulting firm principal of Gensler Chicago, a world Associates. Whitcomb was the first female this well-known Chicago construction firm. she co-founded in 1976, providing strategic renowned architecture and design firm and president of the Chicago Chapter of the He is a graduate of Yale and holds an MBA fundraising and marketing counsel to a vice chairman of the Adler Planetarium. Association of Fundraising Professionals from the Kellogg School of Management. broad spectrum of organizations across the He holds a bachelor of environmental (AFP), and has received the organization’s U.S. She is a former director of Donors design degree and an MBA from the Michael T. Clune, after an early career in President’s Award. She helped author Forum, a Chicago-based organization University of Colorado. the construction business in Europe and the original certification test for AFP, dedicated to strengthening philanthropy the Middle East, moved to Chicago in 1978 Paul T. Ruxin is a retired partner of and is a regular trainer and presenter at and the nonprofit community, and past where he is now chairman and CEO of Jones Day (Chicago and Cleveland) and local, regional, and national conferences Chair of the Giving USA Foundation, the Clune Construction. He is involved in chairman of the Folger Shakespeare Library on fundraising and nonprofit management. publisher of the annual Giving USA report various philanthropic activities. Michael was in Washington, D.C. He is a board member Whitcomb is a graduate of Millikin on philanthropy. She received a B.A. from born in Dublin, Ireland. at the Newberry Library of Chicago. He is a University, where she received the Oberlin College and an M.B.A. from governor of Dr. Johnson’s House Trust in Merit Loyalty Award in 2014. S. Leigh Pierson Conant is co-founder and Northwestern University. London. Mr. Ruxin is a graduate of Amherst president of the S. Leigh Pierson Conant Marie Arana was editor in chief of Robert Franden is an attorney and investor College and received his law degree from and Douglas R. Conant Family Cookie Jar ‘The Washington Post’s’ Book World, and, in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is active in civic and the . Foundation. She is a former actor and prior to that, vice president and senior professional organizations at the national educator, a voracious reader, and a lifelong Tom Staley served as the director of the editor at Harcourt Brace and Simon & and local levels. He serves on the board of participant and supporter of the arts renowned Harry Ransom Center at the Schuster. The prize-winning author serves The Harry Ransom Humanities Center at with a B.S. in theatre and education from University of Texas at Austin. He is a on the Scholars’ Council at the Kluge Center The University of Texas at Austin. He is Northwestern University. professor of English and holds the Harry of the Library of Congress, where she was also the Chairman of ALFA International, Hunt Ransom Chair in Liberal Arts at the Distinguished Scholar from 2009 to James Donnelley has been a general an international legal organization He University of Texas at Austin. He has written 2010. She is also chair of the National Book partner of Ampersand, Reset & South served on the Tulsa City Commission and or edited 13 books, several on , Festival in Washington, D.C. She holds a Eastern Limited Partnership since June various civic and cultural trusts, including Jean Rhys, and Dorothy Richardson, and is B.A. from Northwestern University. 2000. Mr. Donnelley served as vice the Performing Arts Center Trust. He holds the founding editor of the James Joyce chairman of R.R. Donnelley & Sons a J.D. degree from The University Tom Borders is co-founder and former Quarterly. CEO of Borders Books Shop, Inc. and Company. He has served as a trustee and of Oklahoma. director of numerous civic and community Helen Sullivan is an expert in industry-wide Book Inventory Systems. He is currently James G. Hansen is the retired chairman groups, which include: Children’s Memorial public relations and integrated marketing president of Midtown Group, Inc. and the and founder of Chicago-based Source/Inc., Hospital (retired member), The Donnelley programs. Her honors include three Public manager of Sixth Street Films. Borders is providing branding identity services for Foundation, John C. Griswold Foundation Relations Society of America Silver Anvils. a director of the Bank of Ann Arbor and is consumer products clients. He is a fellow of (retired treasurer), Chicago Public Library She serves on the board of on the Board of Directors of the Tapestry the Industrial Designers Society of America Foundation (former chairman), National Public Relations Alliance and the Center Foundation. Borders is former chair of the and the Society of Typographic Arts. Merit Scholarship Foundation (former for Child Protection and Family Support. Harry Ransom Center Advisory Council and He served as chair of the Board of Advisors vice-chairman), and several other A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School has been a member since 2000. He is a for the Design Management Institute for organizations. Mr. Donnelley holds a B.A. of Public Communications at Syracuse graduate of the University of Notre Dame 16 years. He holds undergraduate and from and an MBA from University, Ms. Sullivan is a lifelong devotee and received an M.A. from the University of graduate degrees from the University the University of Chicago. of poetry. Michigan. He and his wife, Carmel, live in of Illinois. Austin, Texas.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 31 Partners

AWM and its partners share a commitment to improving literacy, to encouraging reading and writing, and to honoring American writers. We share information, collaborate on programming and co-sponsor literary events. We pursue joint educational endeavors to inspire young people to read and write.

32 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 Financials

Pre-Opening Development Monthly Pre-Opening Expenses ($) — July 2015 – February 2017 Cost 2015–2016: $6.5 million 1,100,000 • Space build-out • Exhibit design, fabrication, and 1,000,000 installation • Pre-opening operation costs 900,000 Full Business Plan available upon request. 800,000

700,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0 JUL JUL SEP SEP FEB FEB JAN JAN JUN DEC DEC APR OCT OCT MAY AUG AUG NOV NOV MAR 2015 2016 2017

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 33 Financials

PRE-OPENING EXPENSE SUMMARY

2016 2017 Total

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1

Content Development 17,000 18,000 6,000 6,000 47,000

Exhibition Design 180,000 225,000 165,000 115,500 60,000 745,500

Exhibition Fabrication and Installation 45,000 205,000 1,100,000 1,550,000 500,000 3,400,000

Architect Fees, Project Management, Independent Cost Estimator 95,000 30,000 15,000 140,000

Space Build-out (12,000 square feet)

Gross 291,500 596,500 888,000

(per square foot) $74.00

TI Allowance 171,500 316,500 488,000

(per square foot) $40.67

Net of TI Allowance 120,000 280,000 400,000

(per square foot) $33.33

Contingency 52,500 141,000 196,050 56,000 445,550

Staffing 68,050 100,650 104,771 122,250 140,646 536,367

Pre-Opening Marketing 21,900 30,400 20,900 31,900 66,600 171,700

Total Pre-Opening Expenses (Net of TI Allowance) 331,950 726,550 1,687,671 2,316,700 823,246 5,886,117

34 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Financials

OPERATING BUDGET 2017–2021

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Revenues

Number of Visitors 100,000 120,000 120,000 120,000 120,000

Admission Fees ($10 avg. fee) 1,000,000 1,236,000 1,273,080 1,311,272 1,350,611

Special Events ($5,000 avg. fee) 100,000 150,000 150,000 150,000 150,000

Sponsorships and Donations/Gifts 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000

Total Revenues 1,350,000 1,636,000 1,673,080 1,711,272 1,750,611

Operating Expenses

Staffing 723,333 836,229 892,330 917,390 943,202

G&A (6.0% of revenues) 81,000 98,160 100,385 102,676 105,037

Marketing (4.5% of revenues) 60,750 73,620 75,289 77,007 78,777

Insurance (1.5% of revenues) 20,250 24,540 25,096 25,669 26,259

Utilities ($6 per sq. ft. escalating at 3% per annum) 71,514 73,659 75,869 78,145 80,490

Cleaning ($2 per sq. ft. escalating at 3% per annum) 23,838 24,553 25,290 26,048 26,830

Repairs/Maintenance (5% of revenue) 67,500 81,800 83,654 85,564 87,531

Total Operating Expenses 1,048,185 1,212,561 1,277,913 1,312,499 1,348,126

Rent (Museum) 247,771 306,853 317,509 328,307 339,250

Rent (Offices) — 25,000 26,000 27,000 28,000

Total Expenses (Operating plus Rent) 1,295,956 1,544,414 1,621,422 1,667,806 1,715,376

Net Income 54,044 91,586 51,658 43,466 35,235

Cumulative Net Income 54,044 145,630 197,288 240,754 275,989

Note: 2017 numbers based on 10 months of operations.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 35 Fundraising

Plan AWM Fundraising – Success to Date; Goals in Place Source of Funds by Region Available on request 3,800,000 51% Implementation Chicago The fundraising plan is being 3,600,000 implemented by AWM’s Executive 3,400,000 Director Nike Whitcomb. Her 35 years of experience running her own 3,200,000 fundraising consultancy positions her 3,000,000 to conduct a successful campaign for the AWM. All members of the Board 2,800,000 of Directors are actively engaged in supporting the fundraising campaign. 2,600,000 49% Outside Chicago They are fully confident that the 2,400,000 fundraising goal will be reached on schedule. 2,200,000 Source of Funds by Donor Category 2,000,000 4% Public Foundations 1,800,000

1,600,000 17% Corporate Foundations 1,400,000

1,200,000

1,000,000 Funds Received

800,000 Additional Fundraising

600,000

400,000 79% Family Foundations and Individuals 200,000

0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

36 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Your Opportunity

Why What When As a supporter, you will make a vital There are many ways in which you can The AWM’s most urgent need for contribution to literacy and to the support the AWM: funding is NOW. literary education of generations to • Make a donation now. How come. The AWM will inspire young • Make a pledge payable over one to The donation and pledge forms provide people to read and write: the three years. foundations of civilization. information on how to make donations • Leverage your donation by by check, wire transfers, and stock • The AWM offers a unique legacy supporting the Chairman’s Challenge transfers. opportunity to invest in a great new Grant. Every $2 donated—up to national cultural institution, the first $1 million—will be matched by a Recognition and only one of its kind in the U.S. $1 donation from our Chairman. There are different levels of recognition for various donor categories. All donors • Take advantage of one of the naming • A range of naming opportunities will be recognized on the AWM opportunities. offers funders at different levels a website. Donors who fund naming • Provide pro-bono support where way to receive public recognition for opportunities will be fully recognized needed. their philanthropy. with appropriate signage in the • Provide Capital support to help museum. Programming and event • Your early support of the AWM will create and build our exhibits. make you a Founder of this important support will be recognized in all related • Enlist other donors. new institution. materials. • Sponsor fundraising and awareness- building events.

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 37 Naming Opportunities

Naming Opportunity Location Cost

Gallery: Writers Hall — arrival lobby: ticketing and coat check; modified gift shop Writers Hall $1,000,000

Exhibit: Hometown Author Video Wall — digital display of authors’ portraits; zip code activated Writers Hall $500,000

Exhibit: Writing Across America — literary map explores various book settings; locations of author homes & museums; other literature-related institutions Writing Across America $500,000

Gallery: American Identity — understanding America through our writers American Identity $500,000

Exhibit: Surprise Bookshelf — a ‘magic bookshelf’ with hundreds of great works of American writings in all forms with interactive components American Identity $500,000

Exhibit: Word Waterfall — scenic display scrolls words from featured works American Identity PLEDGED

Exhibit: American Voices — a chronological presentation of American writing through history American Identity $250,000

Exhibit: American Promise — the myth of success; land of plenty; land of adventure American Identity $75,000

Exhibit: American Identities — exclusion, assimilation, the individual vs. society American Identity $75,000

Exhibit: American Edge — literary works considered radical or experimental in their time American Identity $75,000

Gallery: Readers Hall Readers Hall Pledged

Exhibit: What Americans Read — vignettes representing changes in what Americans chose to read over time Readers Hall $250,000

Exhibit: Favorites — visitors submit or post their top 5–10 pieces of American Writing Readers Hall $100,000

Exhibit: Fan Letters — visitors can write a note to a writer that inspired them Readers Hall $50,000

Gallery: The Mind of a Writer — niches and interactive kiosks highlight beautifully written characters and settings, inventive plots, and story structures The Mind of a Writer $500,000

Exhibit: A Writer’s Room — suggests a writer’s office or studio with a visitor-controlled media installation of a specific author from a pre-determined list The Mind of a Writer PLEDGED

Exhibit: Featured Works — interactive touch table with 20–25 American masterworks of fiction and nonfiction which visitors can explore The Mind of a Writer $250,000

Exhibit: Anatomy of a Masterwork — a writer’s impact on plot, place, character, and style The Mind of a Writer $100,000

Exhibit: Word Play — interactive kiosks with multiple games encourage creativity with words The Mind of a Writer $100,000

Exhibit: Story of the Day — interactive station where AWM staff add a famous line from a story and visitors continue the story; best stories posted online daily The Mind of a Writer $50,000

38 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Naming Opportunities

Naming Opportunity Location Cost

Gallery: Children's Literature Gallery Children’s Literature Gallery PLEDGED

Gallery: Chicago: A City of Writers Chicago: A City of Writers $500,000

Exhibit: Communities: Places — how overlapping communities have led to distinctive literary bodies of work Chicago: A City of Writers $100,000

Exhibit: Communities: People — journalists, radicals/progressives, playwrights, poets, academics, etc., and their impacts on Chicago and American writing Chicago: A City of Writers $100,000

Exhibit: Focus Stories — interactive kiosk lets visitors choose from a menu of stories about significant Chicago writers or writing-focused organizations Chicago: A City of Writers $100,000

Exhibit: World-class Writing — why the city of Chicago has had such enormous influence on American writing Chicago: A City of Writers $100,000

Traveling Exhibits Changing Exhibits $100,000/5 yrs.

Affiliates Programming — annual programming to coordinate and promote collaborations among affiliates on a regional, thematic or other basis $250,000

Programming — Year 1 $250,000

Programming — Year 2 $250,000

Programming — Year 3 $300,000

Programming — Year 4 $350,000

Miscellaneous gifts of many sizes $350,000

$9,125,000

AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2016 39 Project Strengths

• The museum concept is sound, as As the only museum in the United attested to by the many endorse- States to showcase American Writers ments from knowledgeable members as a group, the AWM will be sustainable of the arts and cultural community. not only because of its operational • It is the only museum of its kind in discipline, but because it will capitalize the nation. on a crest of reading enthusiasm and • There is no competing institution. writing aspirations. The ubiquity of • The museum is housed at a premier e-readers and published content on the location in Chicago. internet, the growing embrace of social • The Business Plan is conservative media and self-publishing, all will and was developed by a museum contribute to the continued ground- consultant involved in the launching swell of reading and writing that is of some of the most successful already counteracting the effect of museums in the nation. declining numbers of bookstores and • Resident and tourist visitor potential daily newspapers in print. substantially exceeds the numbers on which the business plan is based. • Changing exhibits and vibrant programming will draw repeat visitors. • The museum is sized appropriately. • Strong support from community and city officials in Chicago and Illinois. • Experienced project team. • Internationally acclaimed design team. • National Advisory Council of literary experts.

40 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM NICOLE KRAUSS LOUIS L’AMOUR FRAN LEBOWITZ

CHANG-RAE LEE HARPER LEE URSULA K. LE GUIN ELMORE LEONARD MERIWETHER LEWIS

SINCLAIR LEWIS A.J. LIEBLING ROSS LOCKRIDGE JR. JACK LONDON HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW BARRY LOPEZ

H.P. LOVECRAFT AMY LOWELL ROBERT LOWELL LOIS LOWRY ROSS MACDONALD JAMES MADISON

DAVID MAMET JOHN P. MARQUAND JOHN MARSHALL COTTON MATHER WILLIAM MATTHEWS WILLAM MAXWELL

COLUM MCCANN CORMAC MCCARTHY MARY MCCARTHY ROBERT MCCLOSKEY CARSON MCCULLERS DAVID MCCULLOUGH ALICE MCDERMOTT PHYLLIS

MCGINLEY BILL MCKIBBEN LARRY MCMURTRY JOHN MCPHEE JAMES ALAN MCPHERSON HERMAN MELVILLE H.L. MENCKEN JAMES MERRILL W.S. MERWIN

JAMES A. MICHENER CAROLINE PAFFORD MILLER HENRY MILLER CZESLAW MILOSZ JOSEPH MITCHELL MARGARET

MITCHELL N. SCOTT MOMADAY MARIANNE MOORE WALTER MOSLEY LISEL MUELLER JOHN MUIR

OGDEN NASH LORINE NIEDECKER FRANK NORRIS JOYCE CAROL OATES TIM O’BRIEN EDWIN O’CONNOR FLANNERY

O’CONNOR SCOTT O’DELL FRANK O’HARA JOHN O’HARA TILLIE OLSEN EUGENE O’NEILL CYNTHIA OZICK ZZ PACKER THOMAS PAINE

GRACE PALEY AMÉRICO PAREDES SARA PARETSKY DOROTHY PARKER FRANCIS PARKMAN SUZAN-LORI PARKS LINDA PASTAN ANN PATCHETT WALKER

PERCY HARRY PETRAKIS SYLVIA PLATH MICHAEL POLLAN MARIE PONSOT

KATHERINE ANNE PORTER CHAIM POTOK EZRA POUND J.F. POWERS E. AYN RAND

MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS ISHMAEL REED ADRIENNE RICH EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON RICHARD RODRIGUEZ

THEODORE ROOSEVELT HENRY ROTH MIKE ROYKO MURIEL RUKEYSER LOUIS SACHAR CARL SAGAN J.D.

SALINGER CARL SANDBURG JAMES SCHUYLER JON SCIESZKA MAURICE SENDAK ANNE SEXTON

MICHAEL SHAARA SHEL SILVERSTEIN LOUIS SIMPSON ISAAC BASHEVIS

SINGER BETTY SMITH JOHN SMITH RED SMITH W.D. SNODGRASS

LEONORA SPEYER EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY WILLIAM STEIG

GERALD STERN WALLACE STEVENS RUTH STONE HARRIET BEECHER STOWE THOMAS SIGISMUND STRIBLING ELIZABETH

STROUT MAY SWENSON JAMES TATE EDWARD TAYLOR

HENRY S. TAYLOR SARA TEASDALE HENRY DAVID THOREAU JAMES THURBER WALLACE THURMAN

JOHN KENNEDY TOOLE ROBERT TRAVER CALVIN TRILLIN SCOTT TUROW MARK TWAIN

JOHN UPDIKE LUIS ALBERTO URREA CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG GORE VIDAL PETER VIERECK WILLIAM T. VOLLMANN KURT VONNEGUT DAVID WAGONER DEREK

WALCOTT MARGARET WALKER WALLACE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

EUDORA WELTY DOROTHY WEST NATHANAEL WEST EDITH WHARTON PHILLIS WHEATLEY E.B. WHITE WALT WHITMAN REED WHITTEMORE JOHN EDGAR

WIDEMAN LAURA INGALLS WILDER JOHN WILLIAMS TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS THOMAS

WILLIAMS C.K. WILLIAMS GARRY WILLS EDWARD O. WILSON MARGARET WILSON THOMAS

WOLFE C.D. WRIGHT JAMES WRIGHT AUDREY WURDEMANN AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM EXECUTIVE OFFICES 205 W. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1750 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606

TEL: 312.346.9018 AMERICANWRITERSMUSEUM.ORG

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